Forces know they would never be held accountable, says Mirwaiz

Srinagar, May 29: Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman and Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema patron Mirwaiz Umar Farooq termed the fasting month of Ramadhan full of spiritual rewards for the faithful that the month helps a believer to get closer to the bounties of Almighty Allah and gets a chance to read and understand the holy Quran. He said Quran was descended in this very month of fasting from skies to the earth and reciting Quran during fasting gives spiritual uplifment to a believer.

According to a statement issued to GNS, Mirwaiz was addressing a religious gathering at Masjid Shareef Tengpora, Zoonimar in Srinagar.

He strongly condemned the killing of an innocent sumo driver Bilal Ahmed of Pulwama stating that in absence of no accountability, forces are killing Kashmiris at their will and wish.

Mirwaiz said that the Kashmir’s struggle is genuine and it can be muzzled through military might as such tactics were employed in the past too but failed to yield any result. He said such “repressive” measures can’t force the people of Kashmir into submission.

“The forces’ atrocities were once again on a full display at Turkwangan and Wangam Shopian where they resorted to vandalising of properties and torching of trees in orchards, and thrashing inmates and also damaging the property and household goods of militant commander Zeenatul Islam. This is highly condemnable,” Mirwaiz said.

He said on one hand, GoI announces ceasefire and on the other hand, its forces torch apple crop and damage property of local people without any moral reason and justification in the holy month of Ramadhan. He said forces in Kashmir are laced with unbridled powers under black laws including AFSPA and they don’t care for any action knowing the fact that they would never be held accountable.

Mirwaiz while recalling the 2009 double rape and murder of Asiya and Neolofar of Shopian stated that nine years on, no investigation was held and the case was brushed aside on a “self-made and highly manipulated investigation report of CBI”.

“Instead of ordering an impartial probe into the incident, the case was hushed up under a well planned conspiracy to shield the real culprits and to deprive the victim families from the justice. Those involved in the incidents Shopian, Kunanposhpora, continue to roam scot free and instead of ordering an impartial probe, culprits are having a field day,” Mirwaiz said and urged the world forums and rights organisations to “take serious note of war crimes being committed by the forces here”.